Crockett, like others, said she was angered by the bombing but not terribly surprised. “Most people in City Hall have been waiting,” she said. “There’s so many kooks running about.”

About 11:30 a.m., Police Chief Terry Mangan and Mayor Jack Geraghty briefed employees about the explosion. All seven floors were being searched, they said. No one would return until authorities felt the building was safe.

“Our primary interest is your protection and the protection of citizens,” Geraghty said.